SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 10 Gustavus volleyball team is set to host its final two regular season home contests this weekend. The Gusties enter the matches with a 21-2 record overall and a 7-0 mark in the MIAC. They take on Concordia (8-14, 4-3 MIAC) on Friday at 7 p.m. and St. Benedict (20-5, 7-0 MIAC) on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus is currently riding a 13-match winning streak, most recently Luther on Saturday. Gustavus’s 91.3 winning percentage ranks seventh in the country, which is backed by a strong offensive attack. The Gusties’ 12.23 assists and 13.11 kills per set rank 33rd and 31st, respectively, in Division III and their .232 hitting percentage is 32nd. Kate Holtan (So., Rochester, Minn.) continues to lead the attack with 273 kills (3.25 per set) and is strong on the back line as well, averaging 3.25 digs per set. Nora Holtan (Sr., Rochester, Minn.) directs traffic on the floor with 9.76 assists per set. Holtan currently has 4,199 career assists and needs three more to break the Gustavus assist record, held by Jess Lobben (1993-96). Holtan’s .317 hitting percentage is also best on the team. Brittany Luethmers (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.) leads the defense with 4.77 digs per set.
Scouting the Cobbers: After riding a three-game winning streak, the Cobbers have now dropped their last three contests, most recently falling to the University of Minnesota-Morris on Monday. The Cobbers are led offensively by Haley Cuppett, who has tallied 203 kills this season (2.82 per set). Jill Klaphake quarterbacks the offense with 470 set assists on the year while Casey Coste leads the team on the back line averaging 4.69 digs per set.
The Series: This is the 67th meeting between Gustavus and the Cobbers with the Gusties leading the series 40-26. Last season, the Cobbers beat the Gusties in straight sets.
Scouting the Blazers: The Blazers are currently riding a seven game win streak and will look to extend it to eight Friday Night as they take on St. Olaf. The Blazers are led offensively by Hunter Weiss, who has posted 305 kills on the season (3.51 per set). Katie Koch conducts the offense with 892 assists this season which is the 15th most in the nation. Haley LaValle leads the team in digs averaging 5.62 per set. The Blazers blocking game is especially strong ranking second in the nation thanks to the strong play of Weiss, who leads the nation averaging 1.55 per set, which is .2 above the next highest player in the NCAA.
The Series: This will be the 59th meeting between the Gusties and Blazers with the winner claiming the series lead as it currently stands at 29-29. Last season, the Gusties were defeated by the College of Saint Benedict 3-1.